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You got to have faith!

1. The Example of Abraham
6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise…29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Abraham is presented as the example of salvation in the OT

Abraham was chosen by God and became the father of the Jewish nation

Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness

Abraham is a prototype for all who would come to God by faith

God made a Promise/Covenant with Abraham

It is this covenant that was inaugurated by Jesus and sealed by the Holy Spirit

2. The Promise of God
16The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. 17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise…21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law…29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

The Promise/covenant supersedes the Law

The inheritance depends on God’s promise

The Promise is based on grace

When we belong to Christ are heirs of the Promise

3. The Purpose of the Law
10All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree…17What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.19What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. 20A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. 21Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. 23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.

When we try to come to God on the basis of law we are under a curse

The Law demands perfect and continual obedience

Law is in contradiction to faith

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law

The Law was added because of transgressions

The Law is a tutor to lead us to Christ

The Law is no longer our supervisor

4. The Blessings of Believing
6Consider Abraham: “He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”7Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith…11Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” 12The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”…14He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit….22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus

We are declared righteous by faith

Faith brings the Abrahamic blessing

The righteous live by faith

By faith we receive the Holy Spirit

We receive God’s promise by faith

Faith sets us free from the Law

We are sons of God through faith in Christ

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen. Faith pleases God and God rewards faith. Faith it until you feel it!